The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-15
A RELIC OF WAR TIMES.

Huntington Ind.) Letter in Chicago Times.
Since 1916 prominent parsonage of the upper
Wabash valley has been Col Lambdin +. Mil
ligau, Of Huntington, Ind. Born in Ohio in
1872, at the age OF twenty-three be was
admitted TO the bar of the Supreme Court
of that State at the same time and in
the same class with Edwin NJ. Stanton the
great secretary of President Lincoln.
He came West to engage in farming, but
resumed the practice of law in 1858. and has
been, through all these years. q leading member
of the Huntington bar.
Colonel Milligan an active politician be-
fore the war, and recognized Democratic
leader. He represented his party in the several
Democratic national conventions and was
offered and refused the nomination for Cover
nor, which was afterward given to the Hon.
David Turpie, in 1864. In all the great struggle
OF the rebellion be open opponent OF the
government, leading spirit of the Knights of
the Golden Circle, and major-general of the
order
Whatever may have been the reputation of
Colonel Milligan during the war, and it was by
no means local, he is to-day one of the most in
fuential and best-respected citizens of Hunting
ton. AS man and neghbor no man stands
higher in the esteem of the community Nor Is
he the rabid Democrat of former years Al
though still adhering to the traditions of that
party. especially regards free trade. the Col
onel has become somewhat of an independent In
his views. 1t is known that he voted for Gar
field for President in 1880, and he was the Pro-
hibitlon candidate against the regular Dem
ocratic nominee for State Senator IN 1897 lie
supported Cleveland. however. in 1884
The arrest of Colonel Milligan, in October,
1864, his trial for treason by military commits
sion at Indianapolis. bis sentence to be hanged
the Communication of the sentence to imprison-
ment for life, and his release by order of the
United States Supreme Court. are facts we'll re-
mem ered by persons familiar with the history
of the The Colonel himself seldom refers to
his experience as a military prisoner, but In a
recent interview gave reporter the following
facts as to his Incarceration.
From the date of my arrest in October, 1864.
to the time of my release covered a period or
eighteen months L owe the Communication OF
my to Secretary of War Edwin NJ.
Stanton. Governor Morton and Hon. John n.
Petit. of Wabash. had interested themselves in
my behalf. well as Hon. Joseph E. Mcdonald,
who was my attorney; but despite my efforts
should probably have been hanged but for Stan
ton. Mr.. Stanton and | were early friends, both
having been admitted to the bar at the same time,
and he a frequent visitor at my house while
L was still resident of Ohio. A few days be-
fore the date set for my execution at Indian
apolis my wife visited Washington. A card
from Judge McCulioch to Mr.. Stanton obtained
her an interview with the Secretary of War.
She kindly and courteously received and
though the interview brief-Mr. Stanton
being very much occupied by business-Mrs.
Nilligan left his presence with the full assurance
that should not be executed Governor Morton
was using his utmost epdeavors to influence
President johnson to commute my sentence.
and had sent Mr.. Petit TO intercede in my be-
half. Mr.. Petit the Speaker of the
Indiana House of Representatives. had been
man of prominence. both at home and at w ash
ington. The morning before the day set for my
tho President gave no sign of interference. He
declared in language exceedingly discourteous
that Morton was not running this shebang, and
that his lenieucy was already bringing him into
reproach. Mr.. Petit thoroughly dsheart-
ened The President about to attend
brand review of the army. and Petit made one
last appeal is there hopeP Il will not say
that said Johnson. put will you again In
the meantime word WAS received at Indianapolis
about o'clock P. NJ, and before the review
over. from the War Depa rtment, ordering the
Communication of the sentence. If President
johnson ever consented TO the Communication it
was after Secretary Stanton had issued the
der and redeemed his promise to Mrs. Niiigan.
THE interest of Governor Morton in my
is explained by the fact that but for his influence
with the commission the night of their final
action, and his promise to its members that
never should be harmed. l would not have been
convicted of the charge of treason ma ority
OF Its mem oers favored my acQuittal. Governor
Morton General Hovey, and other prominent
men favored such result 1t had been alleged
that my arrest was for political effect and the
commission were told that acquittal would
be injury the Union cause. My convc-
ton, therefore. was demanded as a necessity,
and Governor Morton personally pledged the
members of the commission that should not
be hurt. Abiding to DIR. Bowles, Horsey and
myself. all of whom trial for the
same offense, he said: I'VE will shield them
from harm, and they will be glad enough. after
while, to take the oath of allegiance and secure
their release Morton probably believed Lin
coin would commute the sentence when it came
to him. When a copy of the record taken
to Lincoln, in Decem Der, 1864 by mr. attorneys,
Joseph f. Mcdonald and Jonathan w. Gordon,
Mr.. Lincoln declared he could find nothing to
justify the finding against Horsey and my
self. and promised these gentlemen in the pres |
ence of General Singleton. that when the official
record reached him he would dsafirm the find |
ing, and set Horsey and myself at liberty. DE- |
Bowles, he said, should be sent across the |
lines to his Southern friends until the close of
the war. Judge Advocate Holt never presented |
the official record TO Lincoln, and when. after |
Lincoln's assassination, it WAS presented to |
he promptly affirmed the finding with |
ont examination The earnest efforts of |
Governor Merton to induce President johnson |
to commute the sentence were not due to his /
sense OF justice or TO his appreciation of the |
fact that my trial was illegal one, but simply |
and wholly to his promises to the members of |
the military commission
after my sentence had been committed was |
taken to the pententiary at Columbus. O., for |
confinement Here / was assigned to the posi-
ton OF hospital doctor. knew nothing of medi-
cine, and had been COMPOUNDED with DR.. Mill |
gan, at one time a member of the Indiana Leg
isature, and my denial was of no avail. had
some knowledge of chemistry, and as the duties
were largely clerical. got along very we'll The
directors were kind enough to tell me that as l
had life sentence to serve. even il my medical |
was limited they preferred to have
me in the place rather than a prisoner who
might possibly soon leave the prison. |
II had no doubt of my release when the Sn-
preme Court should hear the case Although
Judge David Davis did not promuigate the opin-
Justice Field has himself informed me that the
court had agreed as to what the opinion should
Do In NOVemOer Oh Tie previous year. Inc last
six months of my imprisonment were for the
glory of Judge Davis, that he might have ample
lime to prepare the opinion of the court. which,
1y the way, was very able and exhaustive pa
per, covering fully one hundred pages.
"When the Supreme Court announced IT'S de-
sion declaring the illegality of the trial by
military commission. the warden of the peni-
entiary did release until Judge Pugh, |
# Columbus, issued writ of habeas corpus. |
even then he did not consent to do so until ad-
Used by Governor Cox that he must obey the
prOlOOC |
IMPRISONMENT but Judge Pugh refused to grant
DELAY of .one day, hour, minute
nd ordered my Immediate release. 1t not
Until was a free man that President Johnson
ia ted my pardon
MY arrest and incarceration were heavy |
rain upon me financially. am safe in saying
g. 600 would not pay the bill Besides this. my
riends raised a considerable sum OF money.
we'll up in the thousands, for my de-